PORT MORNINGTON. 
^65 
a detached sugar-loaf hill, and no high land visible to the north- 
ward. The northernmost extremity of the land, the pilots say, is a 
Ras ; but as they have changed the name several times, I shall not 
record it. We had during the day a brisk monsoon at S. S. E. which 
carried us at the rate of seven knots an hour, with a heavy follow- 
ing swell. By five we came to an anchor in eight fathom, mud and 
sand, in a very fine bay, among a cluster of low islands. We had 
excellent soundings the whole way in, after we had passed tbe low 
point of land abovementioned, which is called Aveed, and off which 
ran a reef about three miles, in a N. E. direction. It forms the south- 
eastern point of a bay that seems full of shoals, the N. W. side of 
which is formed by the islands among which we anchored. Here 
the Assaye led the way; and as we appj^ached the shore, Mr, 
Maxfield hailed, and told us that his pilots said there was no pas- 
sage with safety. Our pilots denied this, and went on. There are 
several passages leading to land-locked bays, fiom the bay we are 
in. Many dows were on the outside, when we came in sight, which 
fled immediately into one of the inner bays, whither I beheve 
our pilot meant to conduct us, had not the point been too far to 
windward. 
January 26 — Very early in the morning many of the dows got 
out, and passed close by us, having, I suppose, recovered from their 
fright. Our cutter went off with Abdallah and the pilot to make our 
compliments to the Dola, and invite him on board ; he had also 
directions to purchase for us fowls, eggs, and any other articles of 
provision, and to learn what he could respecting the place. He 
did not return till twelve, when the Dola came with him, a 
Bedowee ; the Sub-dola, a decent well-dressed Arab ; and the Sheik^ 
